3 minute read
Letter from John Carrere
“PLEASE CONSIDER A GIFT TO THE ANGELICUM TODAY”
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Our good friend, Fr. Benedict Croell O.P, Office of Development and Mission Advancement, ends all his correspondence with the polite request above. While there are many excellent reasons to make a donation to the Angelicum, most of us arrive there through a personal connection to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. My journey from New Orleans, Louisiana, was no different, but a journey which took many years to travel.
My family had the good fortune to become acquainted with Rev. Val McInnes. O.P., when he was assigned as the chaplain of the Catholic student center at Tulane University. Through his pastoral work, he came to befriend not only students, but residents who lived around the university. There were many Sundays when Fr. Val would join my family in the afternoon to share a meal. Over many years I was the recipient of Fr. Val’s prayers and wisdom, and became aware of his ministries to many families, the local community, and to his fellow Dominicans, particularly, through his nurturing of the International Dominican Foundation. Through my good friend and cousin, Dick Colton, who became an early and frequent supporter of Fr. Val’s work, I was able to maintain a personal connection. In fact, Dick and Fr. Val evacuated together by car to Houston ahead of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans; and then he spent a few months living in Dick’s home until the Dominican residence was repaired.
After his death, I learned through The Angelicum magazine about an effort to raise funds for the first endowed teaching chair at the Angelicum to be named in honor of Fr. Val. With the support of my whole family, it became clear that this was an opportunity to give thanks through supporting the work of the foundation, and creating an important legacy to his life and work. By our offering to make available a matching gift, Fr. Croell and the university were able to complete the funding for the Fr. Val Ambrose McInnes Chair. It is hoped that additional chairs can be funded in the future.
John Carrere and Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P.
Opening picture: John Carrere and family with the 87th successor to St. Dominic, Fr. Bruno Cadoré, O.P. during the 2019 Donor Homecoming
My experience was brought to a perfect climax when my three siblings, spouses and I were able to go to Rome last year to participate in the first “Angelicum Donor Homecoming”. Along with about a dozen other visitors from around the world, over a period of days we thoroughly enjoyed a number of special events, including personal visits with Fr. Michal Paluch, O.P., the Rector of the Angelicum, and Fr. Bruno Cadore, the Master of the Order, attendance at a class taught by Fr. Thomas Joseph White O.P. with Angelicum students, and dinner with numerous members of the Dominican community (not to mention, special entertainment by Fr. White on the banjo). There were also wonderful tours of the Vatican and other religious sites in Rome by tour guide par excellence and Angelicum alumna, Jill Alexy.
The Homecoming was highlighted by the presentation of Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., the initial holder of the Chair, of the first Father Val McInnes Lecture, followed by a reception in the courtyard of the Angelicum with all the attendees.
Just when you figured the weekend couldn’t get any better, we were able to “squeeze in” a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with Pope Francis.
I started out by sharing that there are many excellent reasons to give to the Angelicum. While I was led to the university by my relationship with Fr. Val, by the time I departed I had a great appreciation of the important learning which permeates its classrooms and living spaces. Men and women of all ages enter from all over the world to pray and study together to build their foundation in the Faith, similar to its most popular alumnus, Pope John Paul II. Over just a few days during which I was introduced to the leaders, professors, staff, and students of the Angelicum, I was infected by their warmth, collegiality, and sense of purpose. I departed with the confidence that our Church will gain so much from their future labors throughout the world.
I pray that the Angelicum is able to continue its work far into the future. Its men and women deserve our support.
John Carrere and family with the 87th successor to St. Dominic, Fr. Bruno Cadoré, O.P. during the 2019 Donor Homecoming
